We just returned from a fabulous 3 nights at Canyon Point Campground in Forest Lakes, AZ. Our first outing . We came home, plugged in to our 30 amp service, and heard a fan behind the fuse box. This is just below the oven in our 2011 FC. Can anyone tell me what it is? We do not hear it when we are without electric hookup.

We just returned from a fabulous 3 nights at Canyon Point Campground in Forest Lakes, AZ. Our first outing . We came home, plugged in to our 30 amp service, and heard a fan behind the fuse box. This is just below the oven in our 2011 FC. Can anyone tell me what it is? We do not hear it when we are without electric hookup.

If it's behind the fuse box it's probably your Parallax converter fan, assuming you still have the original factory installed converter. It cycles on when plugged in to cool down the heat generated during the charging process.

If it is the stock Parallax converter, it is a single stage converter, so be cautious about overcharging your batteries.

By all means keep it plugged in if you are using it. Overcharging occurs over time without use so if you won't be using it for awhile, put the battery in "store" mode by turning on the battery disconnect switch. This will disconnect the batteries from the converter and prevent discharging or charging of the batteries. They can completely discharge in 30-40 days when disconnected which you don't want either, so check them periodically and recharge as needed by turning the disconnect switch to "use" mode until the batteries are charged. This will help to get the maximum life from your batteries.

At some point you may think about replacing the single stage converter with a multi-stage converter. This will allow you to keep it plugged in and automatically maintain the batteries without having to think about it.

For right now, a "cheap" alternative is to find a relatively heavy duty 24 hour timer. Plug it in to the outlet you have the Airstream in, then plug the Airstream into it. The converter should only draw 4-5 amps. Adjust the timer to only come on for 30 minutes a day. That should keep the batteries charged without overcharging them.

If you have your fridge turned on while the trailer is parked, that may not be a good idea, as the fridge will keep switching from electric to LP, and of course the batteries will discharge when the fridge is using them.

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